Ok, I've decided to push the '68 Mustang to the back burner in favor of building my '77 F150 instead. I just drool every time I look at her.

So I need a few ideas from all of you here. I'm going to strip this truck down to the bare frame and do it right. I'm going to do all the mechanical/body work myself, including the paint job.

What I'm asking from you all here is - what kind of ideas do you all have that I may borrow (steal) to make my truck *really* unique while it's stripped bare? There's only ONE other truck like this in my area. It's beautiful, but never leaves the guys driveway. I really want this to be a head-turner not only when I drive down the road, but when it's in a parking lot or at the local car shows.

To give you an idea - I've got a college education in mechanics (diesel tech, but this works just as well with gas fed beasts) and I currently weld professionally to bring home the cash. That said; I have no issues turning wrenches and can fab anything that is needed myself. This means your suggestions simply can't be too much for me unless it involves massive amounts of money. (It'll cost enough as it is.)

I'm looking for custom stuff that I can do myself, not something I buy from a catalog and bolt on. (Anyone can do this.) I already have ideas I may entertain in the future with my interior (fabbing up a custom center console that goes from the rear of the cab, curves up around the shifters and into the dash, looking as though it's all one piece and factory installed). I have other stuff in mind, but I'm really curious what you all would suggest to make my truck stand out.

Here's some info that may help with your suggestions:

1977 F150 longbed
4x4
351W from a '78 van
4 speed, NP205
Stock height, 33" tires. (I like the way it sits right now, no need to lift.)
I have access to any tool I need, including welders/compressors/etc.
I have 4 parts trucks, 3 are complete with engines/transmissions/etc. 2 of them are also 4WD.
The truck doesn't have a name yet!

Anyway, thanks in advance for your suggestions. I'm open to *anything*, and would LOVE to see pictures of anything you may have in mind if possible. This whole project starts tomorrow when I get home from work. I promise pictures in return for ideas!

 

A 460 and C-6 with a good sounding (read not loud) exhaust would make my list.

Honestly imo leaving it stock on the outside and just making it perfectly straight with a good color choice would really make it stand out. Seeing one of these trucks mint is a real treat, most are still used as trucks and they show it.

 

I have a strange love for the 351W motor. If I had a (really) cheap 460 come along, I'd take it. I also like to shift them myself, so the C6 wouldn't work for me. haha

But I'm looking for customization ideas as in fabbing or cheap additions rather than major mods.

 

Turning heads and looking good from the parking lot IMO starts with the color. If you have one of the only trucks in the area, it's going to turn heads no matter what if it's straight and has a beautiful paintjob. Other things that I think catches people eye's is the stance/lift and tire/wheel combo. Of course with me, an old rust bucket catches my eye too because I just love seeing these on the road. The other important thing IMO that catches people's attention is the SOUND. The big mills with deep sounds I think are the best. Too loud can be obnoxious, unless it's open header, but that's illegal. I'd sure think about cutouts though in the exhaust so you can run them. I don't have em, but kinda wish I'd put them in.

I don't like seeing things changed too much, but since you weld professionally and could pull it off without too much trouble would be turning the LWB into a SWB. Shortbed 4x4s are very attractable and really don't see really nice ones on the road too much (at least around here).

If you aren't into original things you can think about would be shaved doors, eliminate the wing window, make a custom skin for the tailgate with your personal touch, cowl inducted hood of some sort, tilted front clip. Could also make the bed work as a dump bed. For the interior, bucket seats with a custom console with maybe the shifter on the floor would be cool. And then, fabricate and put your touches in the dash. People are playing around with custom dashes all the time so this could be your touch to the interior. Time, money, and fabrication skills can really do anything. You could also think about combining eras for the dash setup.

I will say and I didn't do it with mine, is that some of the coolest trucks are just all original.

 

Agreed.

IMHO, a 2 tone paint job would make stand out best. Pretty much just what these other guys have said too. Nice deep sounding exhaust, bucket seats, etc. A custom dash would be an awesome idea too.

 

Thanks for the response! It's funny you mention the color. The other truck in the area is actually painted the very color I wanted to paint mine...and the very color you've painted yours. haha I may actually check into other options as far as paint goes, but I really like that color blue.

I've already decided to go with Flowmaster 40 series as far as sound goes. I won't get the deep tone of the big blocks with my Windsor, but I love the sound they get nonetheless. :-)

The tailgate - I actually love the 67-72 gates with the more prominent FORD. That's an idea I've actually forgotten about!

Love the ideas! Keep 'em coming! I'll put up some pics of the build as it takes place!

 

I was typing my post as you put yours up, Devino.

I love the original look of the trucks, but I really want to make mine totally custom. I have 5 of them and my father (who lives next door) has 3. He bought his new the year I was born ('78) and I grew up with that truck. He's going to build his all original, so I'm going the opposite direction with mine.

As far as two-tone paint goes - that's the area in which I lack experience. I used to have a '66 Mustang 2+2 Fastback that I painted (twice), but that was a straight color both times. Going two-tone for the first time would probably be quite the experience for me.

I have roughly 2 months to strip this truck and get it back in running order.

 

How about some custom built steel bumpers. Maybe tube bumpers or made from flat steel. When you build em yourself you can incorporate some cool stuff, like a winch, lights, and hooks.

 

Also very cool mods that dress up the exterior.

 

Some nice rims and a paint job would really set this truck off without anything else done to it but I agree on maybe making some custom bumpers I haven't seen many aftermarket ones for them that I like I want to make some for mine if you decide to make some post some pics of you building it I'd like to see what you come yo with haven't really seen any build threads on bumpers I like the idea of the center console I take it you will have bucket seats? Another thing I seen was people using newer bench seats in there truck with a built in center console that flips up for another seat was thinking of doing this for my truck

 

The title of this thread kinda threw me for a loop.. "resto" and "modification" didn't exactly coincide. With that said, cool beans you can fab cuz that opens up a world of possibilities....

2X with previous posts about the classic body lines. However here are some suggestions for you to pick n choose:

• Pancake the center section of the hood for a lower profile.
• Graft in the hoodscoops from the 94-95 Mustang GT, the Dodge Charger R/T, or the hood vents from a 68 Mustang (including the turn signals!)
• Bulge the fenders mildly.. like the boxed fenders of a mid-80s Porsche 944.
• Fab skid plates for the tranny, t-case, and fuel tank.
• Box the frame.
• Fabricate a tilt front end.. complete with linear actuators or hydraulic system.
• Graft side vents (ala 2010 F250s) into the fenders and make them functional such that they draw in air to the HVAC system. Then seal the cowl vents.
• Fabricate custom bumpers and a rear bumper-mounted tire carrier.
• Fabricate functional sliders that double as step rails. Break out your dimple dies!!!!
• Go to a four 7-inch headlight system. Grill inserts are easy to modify.
• Route the exhaust to exit through the body... either in front or behind the rear wheels.
• Delete the springs and go with trailing arms, panhard bar, and coil overs.
• Replace the radius arms and fabricate a three link.
• Heim joints everywhere!!
• Back half it and fabricate a triangulated 4-link
• Fabricate a folding soft top for the bed (like the old 6x6s). Cover it with canvas that button along the front and sides. Have the rear made up with clear plastic that you can roll up.
• Fabricate a tonneau frame and cover with sheetmetal.
• Fabricate a rack to hold at least two jerry cans, a shovel, pick, and high-lift jack.
• Power adjustable side mirrors, power door locks, and power windows.
• Delete the wing window and use a single piece of glass.
• Laser cut "Ford" logo inside a custom made headache rack.
• Fabricate a roof rack.
• Full roll cage.
• Custom center console like discussed above.
• Cup holders... size must be large enough to securely hold a Big Gulp.
• Custom overhead console with map lights, switch panel, and a place to hold yer sunglasses and garage door opener.
• Delete the rain gutters
• Shave the side marker lights.
• Graft in the flush door handles from a Taurus or other late model.
• Graft the roof section of a dentside Econoline over the bed. Make it removable??

 

^^^^^^^ Now that's some ideas. How long did it take to come up with all that and post?

 

Geez, HIO's been thinking a little too much. I saw on another thread where someone put in a driver side tool box to go with the passenger side.

 

Not too long, just a few minutes. I'm always looking and keeping track of creative ideas - some more involved and some that are simple yet yield a big visual or functional impact. A few of those I have done, a few are on my to-do list, and some are on the back burner.

Dude, I'm thinking all the time. If it weren't for this white collar job that feeds my hobby, I'd be fabbing nearly 24/7. .. fabrication to me is part engineering, part artwork, and keeps me out of trouble... in the end, it actually saves me money.

 

There was a pic of a truck here and the "dent" had been filled, not my cup of tea but made for what I thought was a more "modern" streamlined look. It would definitley be unique.